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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6W-27534

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how many hectares of new trees have been planted in Scotland’s national forest estate, since September 2023.

Question reference: S6W-27532

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed how many hectares of peatland it has restored in the 2023-24 financial year.

Question reference: S6W-27476

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 28 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address any labour market barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ people.

The Scottish Government remains committed to advancing equality for LGBTQI+ people across all areas of life, including the labour market.

We are providing over £1.1 million to organisations working to promote LGBTQI+ equality in Scotland in 2024-25, including for initiatives to tackle discrimination and empower LGBTQI+ people and allies to advocate for LGBTQI+ rights in their workplace.

Through our Fair Work First approach we are leveraging employers’ commitment to fair work for all, including the LGBTQI+ community, by applying Fair Work principles to public sector grants, contracts and other funding, where it is relevant and proportionate to do so. These principles ask employers to commit to creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces and providing channels for effective voice, including trade union recognition. These facilitate open communication with workers to share their lived experiences, advocate for equal rights and ultimately improve workplace culture; and help all workers protect their legal rights and ensure fair treatment.

Question reference: S6W-27493

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 13 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Neil Gray on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of (a) any increasing risk from drug resistant and untreatable infections and (b) preparedness plans to deal with this.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is listed amongst the World Health Organisation’s top ten global public health threats. The Scottish Government works closely with stakeholders in Scotland and beyond to assess the risks associated with AMR and implement key actions to combat it. The Scottish Government has been a key partner in the development of the UK-wide Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan (2024-2029), which was published on 8 May. The plan forms part of a long-term vision on AMR, which works towards a world where AMR is contained and controlled by 2040.

We will continue to work closely with stakeholders to address the risks of AMR across human health, animal health, and the environment. We are also developing an implementation plan which provides greater detail on specific actions that will be carried out in Scotland. This includes key actions aimed at optimising use of antibiotics, preventing and controlling infections, investing in innovation and technology, as well as working collaboratively with global partners.

Question reference: S6W-27366

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-21549 by Jenni Minto on 3 October 2023, what progress NHS boards have made on implementing the Scottish Health Technologies Group (SHTG) recommendations, published on 23 March 2023, requiring access to placental growth factor (PlGF) based tests as part of maternity care.

The Scottish Government is committed to continuous improvement in maternity safety across Scotland, in partnership with NHS Boards and clinicians and service users, to deliver the best and safest care for mothers and babies.

The Scottish Government expects all NHS Boards to ensure the SHTG recommendations on PlGF-based testing published on 23 March 2023 are implemented effectively and consistently. We will be writing to NHS Boards to get an update on their current position regarding PIGF testing and to determine if further support is necessary to progress implementation plans.

Question reference: S6W-27367

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what barriers there have been to the implementation of placental growth factor (PlGF)-based tests, and what action it is taking to resolve any such barriers.

While there are differences across Scotland, the results following the latest update on progress towards implementation of PlGF-based testing indicate that capacity and infrastructure pose challenges for NHS Boards striving to effectively implement their plans.

The Scottish Government is initiating a new scoping exercise to better understand NHS Board’s current position in relation to using the PIGF test. Subsequently, officials will analyse the collected data to determine if further support is necessary to advance implementation plans.

Question reference: S6W-27530

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has frozen the Nature Restoration Fund.

The Nature Restoration Fund has not been frozen.

The competitive strand of our Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) is currently supporting more than 65 projects, and has offered support to over 200 projects, collectively worth more than £15 million, delivering exciting on the ground activity to protect and restore Scotland’s biodiversity. You can view the Nature Restoration Fund story map to see the range of projects supported across Scotland.

There has been a tremendous response across Scotland in terms of applications to the NRF such that the capital budget for delivery projects in 2024-25 is currently fully committed. NatureScot are, however, accepting applications to the NRF for development projects and for delivery projects starting in April 2025 (up to one year).

In addition, the Edinburgh Process strand of the NRF has so far directed over £17 million to support nature restoration projects directed by local authorities and our National Parks. A further £5 million of funding will be provided in 2024-25.

Question reference: S6O-03499

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 29 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the total annual cost of alcohol harm in Scotland, including to the NHS and healthcare, in light of the Institute of Alcohol Studies reporting that the annual cost of alcohol harm in England is £27.4 billion, which includes a £4.9 billion cost to the NHS in England.

Question reference: S6W-27517

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with the Scottish Football Association to discuss sectarianism.

Question reference: S6W-27518

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government how it is tackling sectarianism in wider society, in addition to football.